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Allen Keyball Trapeze System - Game Changer

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Created by KiteDesigner > 9 months ago, 8 Sep 2016
KiteDesigner
NSW, 169 posts
8 Sep 2016 10:12AM
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I just found this looking for some bar parts in marine catalogs. Its called the Allen Keyball. The concept of the ball replacing the hook system seems to have been done before the fireball system. It does not have a quick release I can see but it should be easy to make one up and attach it to a normal kite harness. Thought it was interesting and should share. I may order one and try it out.

I have Massive respect for the innovative design of the fireball system, i am not knocking the fireball, but it looks like a similar concept has been done before.

=====================

Allen Keyball Trapeze System - 08:10:2014

Australian Distributor DeckHardware 02 9905 9400 www.deckhardware.com.au

For many years the development team at Allen were keen to design a trapeze system that improves the safety of the sport and reduces the risk of entrapment by the traditional hook-on trapeze harness. Designer Julian Bethwaite had also been thinking along the same lines and had produced a prototype of the keyball trapeze system. In conjunction with Bethwaite Design, Allen have developed the concept into a sleek and innovative design, eliminating the hook altogether to create a safe intuitive solution that really works.

http://www.deckhardware.com.au/_files/allen_keyball_trapeze_system.pdf

Ozone Kites Aus
NSW, 884 posts
Site Sponsor
8 Sep 2016 10:46AM
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Nice find! No hope for the cabrinha patent IMO., unless the patent applies to the locking ball mechanism?

harlie
QLD, 188 posts
8 Sep 2016 11:19AM
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and this really make sense for sailing, the harness hook really is a PITA while throwing your self under the boom to get to the trap on the other side, it catches on lines and can damage deck and tramps (not to mention ribs). Replacing the hook with a dome as shown for skiff/cat sailing would be great - for kiting, I don't get it. If the big advantage is the vertical leverage distance to reduce spreader bar twist/roll, then it is still worse than the standard rope slider.

kb53
54 posts
8 Sep 2016 9:29AM
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Select to expand quote
TerryMcTool said..
Nice find! No hope for the cabrinha patent IMO., unless the patent applies to the locking ball mechanism?


Not necessarily. The patent examiner is given a limited amount of time to assess the suitability of the patent application. In reality all he/she will do is check existing patents falling under kite-boarding. She wont check academic papers, existing adverts, social media posts etc. She probably doesn't even realize that someone hanging off a trapeze is even remotely related to kiteboarding. After seeing nothing similar in existing patent applications it will be approved.

For the next 6 months "Allen Keyball" can dispute the patent. In reality they have no idea that the patent even exists, so nothing happens. At that time the patent is fully approved.

The only way to challenge the patent then is via expensive litigation.

If "Allen Keyball" has a patent then you are then in the position where the two parties can sue each other; for patent infringement for there respective patents.

Andthe legal fraternity wins again.

Absolutbeginer
QLD, 105 posts
8 Sep 2016 2:16PM
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AS the patent holder Cabrinha would be required to defend the patent.
If they try to spend a ****load of money to stomp on somebody elses copy, then all the other party needs to do is show prior art.

It would be expensive and probably foolish for them to pursue and so the patent will be no more.

If they are smart they would not waste dollars going for a patent in the first place.

KiteDesigner
NSW, 169 posts
8 Sep 2016 3:03PM
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Absolutbeginer said..
http://www.murrays.com/01-0311.html

www.murrays.com/01-1212.html





I find the above amazing because it would not take much to adapt the below image into a simple push away system that could work with a kite harness. A kiter who knows how most kite leash releases work, could adapt the below into a very similar setup to the Fireball system easily ( UNTESTED UNSAFE SO DONT TRY THIS AT HOME)

And the below could fit onto a normal kite harness.

After seeing the below, the Fireball system does not look like a new idea at all. Again I have massive respect for the fireball system and I am not knocking the setup. Thank you for the info Absolutbeginer.



Absolutbeginer
QLD, 105 posts
8 Sep 2016 9:33PM
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Now do you have a brilliant suggestion as to how to make it slide?
I have a couple of ideas.

Looking forward to the pulleyless bridal upgrade you have graciously offered for this info.

Absolutbeginer
QLD, 105 posts
10 Sep 2016 1:43AM
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3dprint.com/109480/3d-printed-trapeze-sailing/

Interesting reading here

pearl
NSW, 984 posts
10 Sep 2016 6:14AM
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I thought the same thing when I saw the cabrinha, about a sliding set up. A ball instead of Loop and a long horizontal slot on harness spreader.
Game changer!

raggy
VIC, 564 posts
10 Sep 2016 8:30AM
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Absolutbeginer said..
Now do you have a brilliant suggestion as to how to make it slide?
I have a couple of ideas.

Looking forward to the pulleyless bridal upgrade you have graciously offered for this info.
KiteDesigner said..

Absolutbeginer said..
http://www.murrays.com/01-0311.html

www.murrays.com/01-1212.html






I find the above amazing because it would not take much to adapt the below image into a simple push away system that could work with a kite harness. A kiter who knows how most kite leash releases work, could adapt the below into a very similar setup to the Fireball system easily ( UNTESTED UNSAFE SO DONT TRY THIS AT HOME)

And the below could fit onto a normal kite harness.

After seeing the below, the Fireball system does not look like a new idea at all. Again I have massive respect for the fireball system and I am not knocking the setup. Thank you for the info Absolutbeginer.





and once you work out its crap you can gift it to that "special" friend

KiteDesigner
NSW, 169 posts
10 Sep 2016 12:11PM
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A sliding rope harness has more advantages, I think it makes the ball system redundant, nice idea, but I can't see any massive advantage over a decent rope slider harness setup.

JB
NSW, 2232 posts
Site Sponsor
13 Sep 2016 2:42PM
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Naish all over it a decade ago.



Adam'KiteRepair
NSW, 331 posts
19 Sep 2016 3:49PM
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I still use this bar for snow kiting though i chopped and changed the line set up years ago

PRAWNDOG
WA, 306 posts
19 Sep 2016 2:24PM
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Yuk!!

Peahi
VIC, 1481 posts
19 Sep 2016 4:53PM
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Select to expand quote
JB said..
Naish all over it a decade ago.





wow you could unhook but still stay connected.

sir ROWDY
WA, 5366 posts
20 Sep 2016 9:32PM
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You can add the Butt-Ball to the pile with Re-Con and Sigma in it I think... change for the sake of change... and as much as the click-bar is interesting in a techy sort of way you can probably throw it on that heap as well. But what would I know .

JOYRIDER
705 posts
21 Sep 2016 7:13PM
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Select to expand quote
sir ROWDY said...
You can add the Butt-Ball to the pile with Re-Con and Sigma in it I think... change for the sake of change... and as much as the click-bar is interesting in a techy sort of way you can probably throw it on that heap as well. But what would I know .


Not much.....

sir ROWDY
WA, 5366 posts
21 Sep 2016 10:44PM
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Select to expand quote
JOYRIDER said..

sir ROWDY said...
You can add the Butt-Ball to the pile with Re-Con and Sigma in it I think... change for the sake of change... and as much as the click-bar is interesting in a techy sort of way you can probably throw it on that heap as well. But what would I know .



Not much.....


obviously

Niggle1981
NSW, 23 posts
25 Sep 2016 10:07PM
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Interesting



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"Allen Keyball Trapeze System - Game Changer" started by KiteDesigner